Providence schools without internet for days amid ‘irregular activity’ on network

PROVIDENCE — Providence public schools have been without internet since last week after “irregular activity” was detected on the network, with no word yet on when it will be restored.

The activity was first detected on Wednesday night, officials have said, and IT shut down network systems.

“Per our protocols and as is standard with this type of activity on our networks, PPSD quickly shut down the network and contacted the proper authorities,” Superintendent Javier Montañez said a letter to families on Monday evening, one of several sent since last week.

A third party company was contracted to conduct an analysis of the network, which has not yet been restored.

“The analysis is currently underway to gather more information but initial findings did not show evidence that district data was compromised,” Montañez wrote in the latest letter distributed on the platform ParentSquare.

Spokesperson Jay Wegimont has not confirmed nor denied if the “irregular activity” could have been a hack. In response to multiple questions from the Globe since last week, he pointed to the ongoing analysis referenced in the letter.

“We will share more when that process is completed,” Wegimont said.

Wegimont said Tuesday the district contacted the Rhode Island State Police, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security last week. He emphasized that the authorities were contacted “out of an abundance of caution.” Colonel Oscar Perez, the Providence police chief, said Providence police were not contacted.

Teachers have reported issues accessing digital curricula and items that require a network connection, like printers. They take attendance on a digital platform and also update grades and communicate with parents on online platforms.

School was only in its second week when the network was shut down.

Maribeth Calabro, the president of the Providence Teachers Union, said about 75 percent of curriculum is online. Teachers have been adapting with offline materials if they had them, and district officials have delivered some printed materials to schools.

“It’s amazing how much we, from administrators down to custodial staff, rely on technology to communicate,” Calabro said.

She said teachers have expressed confusion about which devices or platforms they can currently use and which ones they shouldn’t, so most are just not using electronic devices at all.

“Teachers are creative,” she noted. “Some of us have taught long before there were computers.”

Montañez said WiFi hotspots have been delivered to main offices to maintain “essential services.”

“The district has taken measures to ensure that school operations and student learning continue as usual, with classes proceeding as scheduled,” he wrote in the letter.

He also said that “student and staff information systems” are separate from the network. He promised an update when the investigation is complete.

“While we do not have an exact timeline as to when the network will be up and running, we assure you that we are doing everything possible and following proper protocol to expedite the process,” Montañez said.

Steph Machado can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @StephMachado.